Mr. Rogers of
Kentucky (for himself, Mr.
Yarmuth, and Mr. Guthrie)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural
Resources

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Mill Springs
Battlefield located in Pulaski and Wayne Counties, Kentucky, and the
feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System, and for other
purposes.

1.

Battle of mill springs
study

(a)

Findings

Congress
finds as follows:

(1)

In 1994, the Mills
Springs Battlefield in Pulaski and Wayne Counties in Kentucky was designated as
a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior.

(2)

The Battle of Mill
Springs was the first significant Union victory in the western theater of the
Civil War.

(3)

The outcome of the
Battle of Mill Springs, along with Union victories at Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson paved the way for a major battle at Shiloh, Tennessee.

(4)

In 1991, the
National Park Service placed the Mill Springs Battlefield on a list of
endangered battlefields, noting the impact of this battle to the course of the
Civil War.

(5)

In 1992, the Mill
Springs Battlefield Association formed, and utilizing Federal, State, and local
support has managed to preserve important tracts of the battlefield, construct
an interactive visitor center, and educate the public about this historic
event.

(6)

There is strong
community interest in incorporating the Mill Springs Battlefield into the
National Park Service.

(7)

The Mill Springs
Battlefield Association has expressed its desire to give the preserved
battlefield as a gift to the United States.

(b)

Definitions

For
purposes of this Act:

(1)

Mill springs
battlefield

The term Mill Springs Battlefield means
the area encompassed by the National Historic Landmark designations relating to
the 1862 Battle of Mill Springs located in the counties of Pulaski and Wayne in
Kentucky.

(2)

Secretary

The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(c)

Study

Not
later than 3 years from the date funds are made available, the Secretary shall
conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Mill
Springs Battlefield in Kentucky, and the feasibility of its inclusion in the
National Park System.

(d)

Criteria for
study

The Secretary shall conduct the study authorized by this
Act in accordance with 8(b) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5(b)).

(e)

Content of
study

The study shall include an analysis of the
following:

(1)

The significance
of the Battle of Mill Springs to the outcome of the Civil War.

(2)

Opportunities for
public education about the Civil War in Kentucky.

(3)

Operational issues
that should be considered if the National Park System were to incorporate the
Mill Springs Battlefield.

(4)

The feasibility of
administering the Mill Springs Battlefield considering its size, configuration,
and other factors, to include an annual cost estimate.

(5)

The economic,
educational, and other impacts the inclusion of Mill Springs Battlefield into
the National Park System would have on the surrounding communities in Pulaski
and Wayne Counties.

(f)

Notification of
private property owners

Upon commencement of the study, owners of
private property connected to the battlefield will be notified of the study’s
commencement and scope.

(g)

Submission of
report

Upon completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit a
report on the findings of the study to the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate.